Liverpool coach, Iraola, don tok say e get total belief in im two expensive signings, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola, before dem go play away match against LASK for Austria on evening of October 14, Vietnam time.
Di Mersey club dey face serious shortage for attack. Liverpool no go get dia three top scorers dis season: Isak, Gakpo and Szoboszlai. All three pick minor injury during international matches, and coach Iraola admit say e never sabi when dem go return.
Dat absence put heavy load on di two new expensive recruits, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola, to score goals. Both of dem expected to become di main pillar of Liverpool attack during dis difficult period.
But for di painful defeat against Man City last weekend – na di first Liverpool loss under Iraola – Barcola and Wirtz both pass 90 minutes wey no sweet. Barcola, di record signing of 123 million pounds from Paris Saint-Germain, never score any goal or give any assist in six appearances. E no even win ball once for opponent half. For im side, young German prodigy Florian Wirtz only give one assist since season start, and im form still dey disappoint.
Even with di poor stats, coach Iraola defend im players well well: ‘Right now, di team no get im best scorers dis season. We need other players to contribute to dis performances.’ Di Spanish coach talk say you no fit judge performance on pitch only by stats. E give example of Barcola wey give assist to Lewis Koumas but dem no convert am, and e talk: ‘Both of dem get good and not too good matches. I know dia level and I get total confidence in dem.’
Apart from easing pressure on di two young stars, Iraola confirm say e go make plenty changes for di starting eleven for Austria. Di next match against LASK also get special meaning for captain Virgil van Dijk. Di Dutch defender dey near im 200th appearance for Liverpool for all competitions, and dat motivation important to help Liverpool fans pass dis rough period.
